Spindle drive arrangement for a spinning or twisting frame



J. STEICHELE July 23, 1963 SPINDLE DRIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR A SPINNING OR TWISTING FRAME Filed June 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm =Mm July 23, 1963 J. STEICHELE 3,098,346

SPINDLE DRIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR A SPINNING OR TWISTING FRAME Filed June 2, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6

IN VEN TOR JZse Jb f7e/c/2e/e 3,098,346 SPINDLE D ARRANGEMENT FOR A SPINNING R TWISTHNG FRAME Joseph Steicheie, Fatuttgart-Vieilimtiorf, Germany, assignor to SKF Kugellagerfahriiren Gesellschaft mit heschriinkter Haftung, Stuttgart-Bad Qannstatt, Germany, a company of Germany Filed June 2, 1963', Ser. No. 33,594 Claims priority, application Germany June 6, 1959 13 Claims. (Ci. 51-103) This invention relates to textile machinery, and more specifically to a spindle drive arrangement for a spinning or twisting frame.

In the commonly employed machines of this type, a drive shaft extends over the length of the machine and a row of spindles is mounted on a speed frame extending along the shaft, the axes of the spindles being transverse of the axis of the shaft. The shaft carries a plurality of drive wheels each of which drives an intermediate wheel which transmits the movement of the shaft to one of the spindles. The intermediate wheels are urged into engagement with the whorl portion of the associated spindle by a resilient member, such as a spring.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a drive arrangement for the spindles of a textile machine which requires a minimum of space. Although the individual drives of the spindles singly do not occupy much space, any reduction in size of the drive arrangements is beneficial and important because of the very large number of spindles which are commonly assembled in a single frame.

Another object is the provision of a spindle drive arrangement which can easily be adjusted to varying conditions of operation.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a spindle drive arrangement which permits individual spindles to be easily disconnected from the main drive of the machine, braked to a standstill, and removed from the machine frame without interfering with the operation of the other spindles on the frame.

A further object is the provision of a drive arrangement all moving elements of which are enclosed in a housing and which can be serviced, adjusted and operated without opening the housing.

With these and other objects in view, the invention provides an intermediate wheel which is movable on the machine frame between a first position in which the wheel is in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with the drive shaft and with the coordinated spindle, and a second position spaced from the first position in which the intermediate wheel is disengaged. The spindle drive arrangement of the invention further includes a spindle brake or spindle lock means or both. The brake is movable on the machine frame between a position in which the brake is in braking engagement with the coordinated spindle, and another position in which the brake is released. The spindle lock means normally retains the spindle on the speed frame, but is movable into another position in which it permits release of the spindle from the frame. The intermediate wheel, the spindle brake, and the spindle lock means are jointly actuated in such a manner that they simultaneously move from a position in which the intermediate wheel is capable of transmitting the motion of the shaft to the spindle, the brake is released, and the spindle lock means secures the spindle to the speed frame, to another position in which the intermediate wheel is out of engagement either with the drive shaft, or the spindle whorl, or both, the spindle brake is applied, and the spindle lock means permits removal of the spindle.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the lastmentioned position of the intermediate wheel, the brake and the lock means may be subsequently altered to Bfihdfiih Patented July 23, 1963 the extent of releasing the brake so as to facilitate removal of the spindle from the speed frame.

In a more specific preferred arrangement, the intermediate Wheel, the spindle brake, and the spindle lock means are jointly supported by a bracket which is itself movable on the machine frame so that movement in unison of the wheel, the brake, and the lock means is assured.

The afore-described movement of elements of the spindle drive arrangement of the invention between the several operative position is preferably actuated by a handle which projects from the housing that encloses all moving parts with the exception of the spool carrying portion of the spindle. The handle is equipped with stops or other means for securing it in those positions which correspond to the adjusted positions of the drive elements.

Other features and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational sectional view of a spinning frame equipped with the spindle drive arrangement of the invention, only those elements of the spinning frame being shown which directly cooperate with the device of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 in sectional plan view;

FIG. 3 is a view of a spinning frame corresponding to that of FIG. 1, the spinning frame being equipped with a modified embodiment of the spindle drive arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 3 in plan section on the line V-V, the drive arrangement being in the motion transmitting condition; and

FIG. 6 shows the apparatus of FIG. 5 in the arrested condition.

Referring now to the drawing in more detail, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown the speed frame 1 of a spinning machine. The frame 1 has substantially the shape of a U-channel. The frame 1 carries a plurality of spindles with individual drive arrangements of substantially identical structure so that further description may be limited to one such arrangement.

A spindle bearing housing 2 extends upward from the web portion of the speed frame 1. Its foot portion passes through a bore in the frame 1 and is adjustably secured on the outside of the frame 1 by a nut 3 which threadedly engages a projecting portion of the housing 2 and bears against the frame 1. A grease fitting extends from the foot of the bearing 2 so that the bearing may be aligned and lubricated from the outside.

The speed frame 1 is enveloped by a housing or cover 4 through an opening 5 in the top of which a spindle 6 projects. The projecting portion of the spindle is adapted to carry a spool or the like in a manner well known in itself and not requiring further detailed description.

The main drive shaft 7 of the spinning frame extends longitudinally at right angles to the axis of the spindle 6 through the housing 4 and carries a friction disc 3 the peripheral portion of which is beveled as may best be seen from FIG. 2. An individual friction disc is associated with each spindle and serves as the drive wheel for the spindle.

The web portion of the speed frame 1 has a block 9 secured thereto within the housing 4. The block 9 supports a universal joint 10 which essentially consists of two resilient plates 10' which are offset relative to each other by an angle of and to which the lower end of a a bracket 11 is fastened. A short shaft 12 projects from the upper end of the bracket 11. In the illustrated position of the drive arrangement, the axes of the spindle 6 and of the shaft 12 are substantially parallel with each other and with the radial plane of the drive wheel 8.

An intermediate wheel 13 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 12 by means of an antifriction bearing. The wheel 13 has a conically beveled face portion 13 and axially adjacent thereto a cylindrical face portion 13". A helical spring 14 which abuts against the speed frame 1 urges a projecting lug 11' of the bracket 11 to move in a direction which is obliquely upward and longitudinal of the shaft 7, as can be seen jointly in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the spring 14 urges the wheel 13 into simultaneous engagement of the cylindrical face portion 13" with the whorl portion 6 of the spindle 6, and of the conical face portion 13 with the beveled peripheral portion of the drive wheel 8.

The free end portion of the shaft 12 carries a locking disc 15 which in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 engages between two shoulders on the spindle 6 which jointly define an annular recess 16 and thus secures the spindle in its assembled axial position on the frame 1.

The upper end of the bracket 11 has a. U-shaped flat arm 17 removably mounted thereon by means of a screw. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm 17 reaches around the spindle 6. Its free end carries a resilient brake head 18 which is arranged approximately diametrically opposite the line of frictional engagement between the whorl 6' and the intermediate wheel 13.

A link 19 is guided in an opening 20 which passes through the web portion of the frame 1 and the corresponding portion of the housing 4. One end of the link 19 is hingedly attached to the lug 11'. The other end projects outward of the housing 4 and is equipped with an operating handle 21. The handle is fixedly fastened to a cam member 22 which in turn is pivoted to the link 19 by a pin 23. The portion of the cam member 22 opposite the handle 21 has an arcuate cam face which engages the outer surface of the housing 4 when the handle 21 is moved in the direction of the arrow A from the fully drawn position toward that indicated by broken lines.

In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive arrangement of the invention operates as follows:

Rotary motion of the shaft 7 is transmitted to the spindle 6 by the simultaneous frictional engagement of the intermediate wheel 13 with the drive wheel 8 and the whorl 6' of the spindle 6. Engagement is assured by the action of the spring 14 which urges the bracket 11 to move in a counterclockwise direction, as will be clear from FIG. 1, and in a longitudinal direction as will be clear from FIG. 2.

When the handle 21 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow A, the camming engagement of the member 22 with the outside of the housing 4 causes downward movement of the link 19, and consequent clockwise movement of the bracket 11 about the joint (see FIG. 1). The wheel 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow a, away from engagement with the whorl 6'. The spindle 6 is no longer driven by the shaft 7.

Simultaneously, the locking disc is withdrawn from the annular recess 16. The spindle may now be braked to a standstill by hand and the spindle may be withdrawn in an axially upward direction from the housing 4.

If the bracket 11 is equipped with an arm 17 and a brake head 18, the latter is pressed against the whorl 6' when the handle 21 is moved in the direction of the arrow A, and the inertial rotary movement of the spindle 6 is stopped. The cam face of the member 22 is shaped in such a manner that upon continuing rotary movement of the handle 21 in the direction of the arrow A, the brake head 18 is again slightly released without the locking disc 15 yet being engaged in the recess 16, so that the spindle may be easily removed. The final position of the handle 21 is determined by a stop 21' which is provided on the cam member 22 and which is adjustable. Its abutment against the underside of the housing 4 limits the movement of the handle. The handle 21 is secured in the two terminal positions of its stroke by the cooperation of the spring 14 with the cam member 22, but abutment members or friction catches serve the same purpose.

When the spindle 6 is again inserted and operations are to be resumed, the handle 21 is pivoted on the pin 23 in a direction opposite to that of the arrow A. The intermediate wheel 13 again engages the whorl 6, thus transmitting to it the rotary movement of the shaft 7.

While only a single drive wheel 8 and only one set of the other elements which cooperate in the drive arrangement of the invention have been shown in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that there are a plurality of spindles 6, each individual spindle having a drive arrangement of its own and being thus independently acted upon by the common shaft 7. The spatial relationship of the several drive arrangements within a single frame is evident from FIG. 2 which shows the drive wheels 8 of two adjacent drive arrangements.

In the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the speed frame 1 carries a spindle 6 on a spindle bearing housing 2 in the same manner as described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. A housing 4 encloses the moving elements of a drive arrangement, movement of which is derived from the shaft 7, a drive wheel 8 of which cooper-ates with an intermediate wheel 13. The manner of mounting the intermediate wheel 13 and the means for moving it into and out of simultaneous engagement with the drive wheel 8 and the spindle 6 are somewhat different.

The wheel 13 is rotatably mounted on a short shaft 12a which also carries a locking disc 15 operative in the afore-described manner. The shaft 12a projects beyond the disc 15 and passes outward through an opening in the cover 4. The outer end of the shaft 12a rotatably carries an operating handle 24 by means of which the shaft 12a may be radially displaced in the direction of the arrow B so as to break the contact between the intermediate Wheel 13 and the spindle 6, and to disengage the locking disc 15 from the cooperating annular recess of the spindle. When the wheel 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow, the spindle 6 may be stopped by hand and then withdrawn from the housing 4.

As shown in FIG. 4 which gives a top view of the handle 24 and of the adjacent portions of the housing 4, the handle 24 has a laterally extending wing 25 the underside of which is formed with an arcuate guide groove 26. The housing 4 carries a stud 27 which during rotary movement of the handle 24 in the direction of the arrow C engages the groove 26 and guides the handle 24 into the position shown in FIG. 4 in broken lines in which the stud 27 abuts against the end wall of the groove 26.

As seen in FIGS. 3, S and 6, the bracket 11a of the second embodiment of the invention is equipped with an arm 17' which carries a brake head or brake shoe 18' angularly offset approximately from the line of contact between the intermediate Wheel 13 and the spindle 6. In the solid line position of the handle 24, shown in FIG. 4, as well as in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the intermediate wheel 13 is in contact with both the drive wheel 8 and the spindle 6, so that the spindle turns, receiving its motion from the drive wheel over the intermediate wheel. The locking disc 15 engages the annular recess of the spindle. The rotary movement of the handle 24 in the direction of the arrow C from the fully drawn position to that indicated by broken lines, all as shown in FIG. 4, causes displacement of the upper end of the shaft 12a from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 in a direction toward the lower left, as seen in the latter figure, towards the position shown in FIG. 6, also indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 4. The movement results not only in disengagement of the wheel 13 from both the spindle 6 and the drive wheel 8, but also in braking engagement of the brake head 18' with the spindle 6, and subsequent release of brake pressure by the controlled movement of the shaft 12a following the shape of the groove 26 much in the same manner as the shape of the cam 22 of FIG. 1 first causes firm brake engagement and subsequent release of brake pressure.

Pivotal movement of the handle 24 opposite to the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 4 followed by radial movement in a direction opposite to that of arrow B in FIG. 3 restores the driving cooperation between the shaft 7 and the spindle 6.

A spring 14a which, at one end, bears against a sta tionary block 1a, and, at the other end, against a bracket 11a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) urges the intermediate wheel 13 into engagement with the spindle 6 and the drive wheel 8. Thus, the spring 14a prevents an undesired rotary movement of the handle 24. A rotary movement of the handle compresses the spring 140 just as the actuation of the lever 21 in the direction of the arrow A (see FIG. 1) compresses the spring 14.

To permit movement of the shaft 12a in the afore-described manner by the handle 24, the bracket 11a on which the shaft is mounted is secured to the speed frame l by a resilient rod 28 fastened to a block 29. The block is adjustably fastened to the frame 1 by means of a screw the head of which is located outside of the housing 4. The alignment of the intermediate wheel 13 with the cooperating elements of the drive arrangement may thus be adjusted in a very convenient manner without opening the housing 4.

The device of the invention is capable of being adjusted from the outside to different operating conditions in a very simple manner. If it is desired to brake spindles to a standstill without releasing them from their axial position on the frame ll, this can be simply accomplished by varying the thickness or the mounting of the brake head so that the head frictionally engages the whorl of the spindle before the locking disc is disengaged from the cooperating recess of the spindle. If the brake head is of sufficiently resilient material, the application of further pressure on the brake will sufliciently compress the head to permit the locking disc to clear the annular recess in the spindle, and thus to permit release of the spindle from the speed frame.

The apparatus described has been found in actual production application to be entirely foolproof and not to depend on the skill of an operator. The positive guide arrangements described force the operating handle to move in a predetermined path, and the camming cooperation of the elements associated with the handle and of stationary elements on the machine housing enforces proper sequence of steps, namely, internuption of motion transmission from the main drive shaft to an individual spindle, braking of the spindle to a standstill, release of the locking arrangement which axially secures the spindle to the speed frame, and suflicient release of brake pressure to permit easy withdrawal of the spindle from the frame. The movement of the operating handle is limited in both directions by stops. Merely reversing the direction of handle movement reverses the sequence of steps to that desired for resumption of operation after insertion of a spindle. 7

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a

spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a support; intermediate wheel means movable on said support between a first position in which said intermediate wheel means is in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, and a disengaged second position spaced from said first position; brake means movable on said support between a first position of brake release and a second position in which said brake means is in braking engagement with said spindle; spindle lock means movable on said support between a first position in which said lock means retains said spindle on said support, and a spindle releasing second position; and actuator means movably mounted on said support for actuating simultaneous movement of said intermediate wheel means, of said brake means, and of said spindle lock means from the first to the second respective positions thereof, and for retaining said intermediate wheel means and said spindle lock means in the respective second positions thereof while simultaneously moving said brake means from the second to the first position thereof.

2. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft and a spindle mounted for rotation; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means and brake means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the spindle and in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, and said brake means being released when said bracket means is in one of said positions thereof, said wheel means being disengaged and said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle when said bracket means is in the other position; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions.

3. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a sup port; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, and said spindle lock means retaining said spindle on said support when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other position; and actautor means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions. 1

p 4. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, brake means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions thereof, said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other position; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions.

5. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a support; bracket means movable on said support between three positions; intermediate wheel means, brake means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in another of said positions, and said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the third of said positions; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said three positions.

6. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a housing; a drive shaft rotatable in said housing; a spindle releasably mounted on said housing for rotation about an axis; bracket means movable in said housing between two positions; intermediate wheel means, brake means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other of said positions; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions, at least a 'handle portion of said actuator means extending outside of said housing.

7. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle mounted for rotation about an axis and to be releasable by axial movement; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, and said spindle lock means retaining said spindle in a predetermined axial position when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other of said positions; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions.

8. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis, said spindle being formed with an annular recess about said axis and being removable by axial movement; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, and said spindle lock means radially engaging said recess for axially engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, and said spindle lock being out of said recess so as to release said spindle when said bracket means is in the other of said positions; and actuator means for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions.

9. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, brake means and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other of said positions; an actuator member movable on said support between a first and a second actuating position for movement of said bracket means between said two bracket means positions; and means for selectively securing said actuator member in at least one of said actuating positions.

10. A drive arrangement for a spinning machine and the like, comprising a drive shaft mounted for rotation; a spindle releasably mounted for rotation about an axis; a support; bracket means movable on said support between two positions; intermediate wheel means, brake means, and spindle lock means mounted on said bracket means, said wheel means being in simultaneous motion transmitting engagement with said drive shaft and with said spindle, said brake means being released, and said spindle lock means engaging said spindle when said bracket means is in one of said positions, said wheel means being disengaged, said brake means being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said spindle lock means releasing said spindle when said bracket means is in the other of said positions; an actuator member movably mounted on said bracket means and engaging said support for actuating movement of said bracket means between said two positions.

11. A drive arrangement for spindles on a spinning machine and the like, comprising a main drive shaft mounted for rotation and having an axis; a support; a plurality of spindles mounted on said support to be rotat able about respective axes transverse of the axis of said shaft; a bracket member associated with each of said spindles, said bracket member being movably mounted on said support; an intermediate wheel, a spindle brake, and a spindle lock member mounted on said bracket member; the intermediate wheel being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to said spindle axes, the spindle brake selectively arresting rotation of a spindle; the spindle lock member releasably retaining a spindle on said support; resilient means on said support for permanently urging said bracket member into an operative position in which said intermediate wheel simultaneously engages said drive shaft and said spindle for transmitting the motion of the former to the latter, said spindle brake in said position being disengaged from said spindle, and said lock member engaging said spindle for retaining the same on said support; and actuating means for moving said bracket member into an inoperative position against the urging of said spring, said intermediate wheel in said inoperatve position being out of simultaneous engagement with said shaft and with said spindle, said brake being in braking engagement with said spindle, and said locking member being disengaged from said spindle for releasing the same from said support.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein said spindle is formed with a shoulder, and said lock member engages said shoulder in said operative position.

13. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, wherein said spindle brake includes a brake head and an arm secured to said bracket member and carrying said brake head into and out of contact with said spindle as said bracket member moves into and out of said inoperative position thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,763,980 Burkhardt Sept. 25, 1956 2,896,395 Fink July 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 561,352 Great Britain May 16, 1944 723,353 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1955 

1. A DRIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR A SPINNING MACHINE AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A DRIVE SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ROTATION; A SPINDLE RELEASABLY MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS, A SUPPORT; INTERMEDIATE WHEEL MEANS MOVABLE ON SAID SUPPORT BETWEEN A FRST POSITION IN WHICH SAID INTERMEDIATE WHEEL MEANS IS IN SIMULTANEOUS MOTION TRANSMITTING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND WITH SAID SPINDLE, AND A DISENGAGED SECOND POSITION SPACED FROM SAID FIRST POSITION; BRAKE MEANS MOVABLE ON SAID SUPPORT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION OF BRAKE RELEASE AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID BRAKE MEANS IS IN BRAKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SPINDLE; SPINDLE LOCK MEANS MOVABLE ON SAID SUPPORT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH LOCK MEANS RETAINS SAID SPINDLE ON SAID SUPPORT, AND SPINDLE RELEASING SECOND POSITION; AND ACTUATOR MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR ACTUATING SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF SAID INTERMEDIATE WHEEL MEANS, OF SAID BRAKE MEANS, AND OF SAID 